The internet is being used to bring a "police box for the 21st century" into communities in Scotland.

Tayside Police has become the first force north of the border to introduce web kiosks in key areas in Dundee, Perthshire and Angus.

The "e-policing" drive gives the public the opportunity to report minor crimes, access information and apply for jobs.

The BT Scotland touch-screen kiosks give access to the Tayside Police website and its partner agencies.

The trial terminals are located in Ninewells Hospital in Dundee, Perth Royal Infirmary, Stracathro Hospital, Dundee University Student Union and Arbroath Leisure Centre.

Chief Constable John Vine said significant progress had been made in developing e-services and online information, along with a redesign of the force's website.

Electronic services

He said: "At the heart of the e-policing initiative is a redesigned Tayside Police website, where visitors can apply for jobs, report minor crimes, and gain important information about the services provided by the force.

''We looked at kiosks not just as an access medium, but also a means of promoting the availability of our electronic services.

"We wanted to give members of the public in both rural and urban environments a method of accessing, free of charge, our online services."

He said the kiosks could reduce the demand on staff, allowing Tayside Police more freedom to deploy resources to deal with local issues.

Brendan Dick, BT Scotland's general manager, said: "High-speed internet platforms are going to enable a whole range of online public services and initiatives like this demonstrate how new services for the 21st century can sit alongside more traditional ones."